The Osteopaths Act 1993 is the UK legislation that provides the statutory framework for the regulation of the osteopathy profession by the government. It legally restricts the use of the title “osteopath” to practitioners who meet strict educational, professional, and ethical standards. [1, 2, 3]

The Act established a number of core systems and functions for the osteopathic profession:
Creation of the GOsC: It established the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) as the official statutory regulator tasked with protecting the public. [1, 2]
Statutory Register: It mandated the creation of a compulsory Register of Osteopaths. By law, it is an offence to describe oneself as an osteopath in the UK unless registered with the GOsC. [1, 2, 3]

Fitness to Practice: It established statutory committees (Education, Investigating, Professional Conduct, and Health) to develop educational standards, investigate complaints, and uphold professional behaviour